Abby's+timeline+for+all+PhD+students


 * Apply for external fellowships (e.g. NSF Graduate Research Fellowships) - year 1 or first semester of year 2
 * Portfolio (comprehensive exam) - prepare over summer of second year, turn in at start of year 3
 * Take independent study credit to write lit review and dissertation proposal for candidacy exam - year 3
 * Defend dissertation proposal (candidacy exam) - Spring of year 3 or Fall of year 4
 * Apply for HASS Fellowship - Spring of year 3
 * Apply for NSF Dissertation Improvement Grant - due August 1 - year 3 or 4
 * Apply for other external fellowships and grants - year 3/4
 * Submit first full draft of dissertation to committee - 5th year, six months before planned defense (typically November for an April defense)
 * Defend dissertation - 5th year, typically April